Merchant ships include:
- Passenger ships irrespective of tonnage
- Cargo ships with a gross tonnage above 20
- Cargo ships with a gross tonnage below 20 engaged in international trade
The Danish Maritime Authority determines the manning of each individual ship in consideration of the ship's type, arrangement, equipment, application and trade area.
When assessing the size and composition of the crew, all the tasks and functions of importance to those on board and the ship's safety will be considered.
The following elements are included in this assessment:
- maintaining a safe bridge and machinery watch
- operating and maintaining the life-saving appliances
- operating and maintaining the damage control, fire-fighting and communication equipment as well as maintenance and cleaning of a safety-related nature
- mooring tasks
- food and health conditions
- watch-keeping arrangements on board
- shift work
- the actual working hours of the shifts
- the provisions on hours of rest in force
- the use of general purpose crews
The crew is divided into two main groups:
- The operational crew is the crew considered necessary to maintain a ship's normal operation.
- The safety crew is the crew that is - in addition to the operational crew (especially on passenger ships) - necessary to meet the manning requirements for a ship's muster lists.
Application for a safe manning document
The Danish Maritime Authority determines the manning of merchant ships after having received an application from the relevant shipowner or company.
Apply for a safe manning document
Crew requirements
Masters and navigating and engineer officers are required to hold a Danish certificate of competency. However, for ships registered in the Danish International Register of Shipping (DIS) Danish certificates are not required, but a valid certificate of competency as well as a Danish certificate of recognition issued by the Danish Maritime Authority. However, the master must be either a Danish or an EU/EEA citizen.
The original certificates must be available on board and be furnished with an STCW Convention endorsement.
As regards passenger ships and tankers, the Danish Maritime Authority can increase or decrease the qualification requirements in consideration of the ship's arrangement, equipment, trade area and number of passengers. If a person holding a certificate of proficiency in motor operation is required, this person can at the same time be employed for other service on board.
In general, the manning with officers on board merchant ships is determined in accordance with the tables below: